MIRI: A man lost RM27,000 after falling victim to a phone scammer, who had masqueraded as his friend.
Miri district police chief, Assistant Commissioner Alexson Naga Chabu, said the incident took place on Aug 24 when the victim, who works as a transport supervisor, was at home.
He said the victim, in his 40s, had received a phone call from an unknown number.
The caller had identified himself as his friend and claimed that he was using a new number as he had lost his phone and wallet.
Alexson said the caller then asked for a loan, saying that his bank account couldn't be used as it was being updated.
"The victim, not suspecting anything amiss, deposited a total of RM27,000 via six transactions to a bank account provided by the so-called friend.
"However, two days later, the victim was walking around Miri town when he bumped into his friend, who was the supposed caller.
"After asking about the phone call they had the other day, the victim was stunned after being told that his friend never called him, much less lost his wallet and phone," he said.
Upon realising that he had been scammed, the victim promptly lodged a police report.
